Madera, CA Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)
Key Facts
- Parcels 5 acres or less
- total mowing/removal required (§ 3-15.03(A))
- Notice-to-correct window
- at least 45 days
- Uncorrected abatement
- city enters, bills owner, liens property
- Late cost payment penalty
- 10% after 20 days
- Repeat violation, 1 year
- fee doubled plus citation
- Chapter violation
- misdemeanor (§ 3-15.10)
Summary
Madera requires owners of vacant parcels five acres or smaller, the majority of the city's vacant land, to totally mow or remove all weeds, brush, rubbish and rank growth under § 3-15.03(A), enforced through inspection, notice, hearing and a lien-backed cost recovery if the owner fails to comply.
(A) Parcels five acres or less. These properties constitute the majority vacant land type-size within the corporate limit of the city, tend to be situated in areas abutting residential and commercial real properties, and, in consequence, have greater propensity to cause damage, or threaten lives and properties. As such, total mowing and/or removal of weed, brush, rubbish, rank growths and/or other hazardous debris is required. Any such items must be properly disposed of in accordance with Chapter 3 of Title V of this code.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2024 S-50: Current through Ordinance 1010 C.S., passed 6-5-24).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 3-15, Weed Abatement Regulations, splits vacant-land standards by acreage. 03(A) covers parcels of five acres or less, which the code says make up the majority of the city's vacant land and, sitting next to residential and commercial property, carry a greater risk of damage; it requires total mowing or removal of weed, brush, rubbish and rank growth, with debris disposed of under Title V Chapter 3's solid-waste rules. 04, using County Assessor records to identify responsible owners. 06, and notice is mailed first-class or posted on the property if mailing fails. 08; unpaid balances after twenty days draw a 10% penalty and go to the county tax roll. 09. 05.
Violations & Fines
Any owner, lessee, occupant or manager who causes, permits or maintains a Chapter 3-15 violation is guilty of a misdemeanor under § 3-15.10, on top of the administrative fee, the doubled fee for a repeat violation within a year, and any lien-based abatement cost recovery already assessed against the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Madera require me to maintain a vacant lot I own?
What happens if I ignore a weed abatement notice on my vacant lot?
Is there an extra penalty for a second violation on the same lot?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Madera
California rules heatmap·Compare Madera to another location·View the California property maintenance overview
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